During his earthly ministry and following his resurrection, Jesus Christ chose Apostles and ordained them to lead his Church and perform ordinances in his name. This power to act in the name of God is called the priesthood.

The power of the priesthood is again on the Earth. This authority must be conferred by the laying on of hands by a worthy Latter-day Saint priesthood holder to another worthy Latter-day Saint male. (Articles of Faith 1:5)

In 1829, Peter, James, and John appeared to Joseph Smith and ordained him to the Melchizedek Priesthood, thus connecting the priesthood line of authority in our dispensation back to the Savior himself. Today, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by the same authority that existed in the primitive Church of Christ. Priesthood holders are able to research and/or find their own line of authority and actually trace that authority back to the Savior Jesus Christ.

In the April 2005 General Conference, Jeffrey R. Holland stated“…we in the restored Church of Jesus Christ can trace the priesthood line of authority exercised by the newest deacon in the ward, the bishop who presides over him, and the prophet who presides over all of us. That line goes back in an unbroken chain to angelic ministers who came from the Son of God Himself, bearing this incomparable gift from heaven.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Our Most Distinguishing Feature,” Ensign, May 2005, 43)

By tracing their priesthood line of authority, men can not only see that their authority is valid, but can see just how closely, directly, and personally they are connected to the Savior.